Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies are warning Santa Clarita residents about the consequences of illegal fireworks, officials said Monday.

With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, Sheriff’s Station Deputy Josh Dubin stopped by SCVTV’s morning show, “SCV Today,” to explain the importance of safety and the consequences of using illegal fireworks.

It is illegal to use any type of fireworks in Santa Clarita, including sparklers, simply because of safety concerns, Dubin said. Even “safe-and-sane” fireworks that are sold in Fillmore and Palmdale are illegal in Santa Clarita.

Fire safety is a main factor for not allowing fireworks in many areas of Los Angeles County. “Things spark flames quick, you can light a tree, a dry brush, so it is dangerous,” Dubin said.

Consequences for those choosing to celebrate the upcoming holiday with fireworks can be severe, including tickets and jail time, he added.

“Some of those tickets are expensive — some of the aerial fireworks can be in the felony range and can lead to jail time,” he said.

A person who violates the California Fireworks Safety Act “is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not exceeding one year,” according to the California Health and Safety Code.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is “fully staffed” July 4, due to the hundreds of calls they receive, Dubin said.

Deputies prioritize calls by checking if they are “aerial fireworks, what’s going on, how many people are there, what is the urgency, is anybody’s life in danger.”

While private fireworks shows are illegal, Santa Clarita has a number firework show options for families to enjoy legally.

One option is Santa Clarita’s Fourth of July Fireworks Show at Westfield Valencia Town Center, starting at 9:15 p.m.

KHTS AM-1220’s live soundtrack will be complimenting the firework show.

About Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a print and broadcast journalist who has won several awards for his focused, hyperlocal community coverage in several different regions of the country. In addition to five years of experience covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Smith, a San Fernando Valley native, has worked in newspapers and news websites in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Central Valley and the South, before coming to KHTS in 2012. To contact Smith, email him at Perry@hometownstation.com.

KHTS AM 1220

As Santa Clarita’s only local radio station, KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, along with your favorite adult contemporary hits by artists such as Rob Thomas, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Maroon 5. KHTS is a vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community. Its broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience.